A study from the University of Adelaide just gave parents more reason to discourage their kids from consuming excessive amounts of soft drinks, fruit juice, and other acidic beverages. According to FoodNavigator.com, an Australian study took a closer look at how drinks with pH levels of 1.5 to 3.0 can contribute to tooth erosion.
Damage was detected within 30 seconds of exposure to these beverages. Certain other factors aggravate dental erosion:
“Often, children and adolescents grind their teeth at night, and they can have undiagnosed regurgitation or reflux, which brings with it acidity from the stomach. Combined with drinks high in acidity this creates a triple threat to young people’s teeth which can cause long-term damage”, said Dr. Sarbin Ranjitkar, corresponding author of the study.
Such findings are likely to resonate in South Carolina where, according to CDC figures, 21.8 percent of the population has lost most, if not all, of their natural teeth. Members of the public would do well to limit their intake of acidic food and drinks, and make it a point to visit a trusted dentist in Greenville, SC like Dr. Brian Derrick, to address complications caused by tooth erosion and bruxism, i.e. compulsive grinding of teeth.
Cosmetic dental solutions like veneers, as well as regular cleaning, help restore teeth and conceal the damage already done. However, moderation is still key toward protecting teeth from erosion. It is also advisable to make wise food choices. For instance, while most drinks contain acid to some extent, milk and water have no ill effects on teeth. When drinking soda or fruit juice, meanwhile, it is advisable to use a straw and to minimize the liquids’ contact with teeth.
The other condition referred to in the Australian study, bruxism, is fortunately easier to manage. Bruxism stems from a variety of factors such as anxiety, stress, and tooth misalignment. A dentist may recommend temporary tooth crowns or special oral devices called ‘night guards’ to protect teeth during sleep.
Luckily for patients, cosmetic dentistry in Greenville, SC has no shortage of solutions to a wide range of dental problems. Parents can rest easy knowing that treatments for tooth erosion and bruxism are readily available.
(Source: High-acid drinks can permanently damage young people’s teeth: Study, FoodNavigator.com, August 12, 2014)